Clandestino has grown up, literally. What began as a small operation in Frederick has moved into a…read morelarger space, and the expansion suits them well. This is Puerto Rican pitorro, also known as ron cañita, made with care and intention rather than gimmickry. Many local liquor stores now carry the brand, and it is well worth picking up a bottle, but visiting the distillery is an experience in itself. The founder is a fellow Puerto Rican born retired military member, a background I share, and like me, he has put down roots in Maryland. That story is reflected clearly in the brand's own framing, "Puerto Rican born, Maryland made." The space feels grounded and unpretentious, and that sensibility carries through to the hospitality. We arrived late on a Saturday and were still welcomed warmly, never rushed. We were taken care of by the founder's daughter, who was exceptionally kind, attentive, and knowledgeable. She guided us through a flight that included the traditional pitorro, almond, pineapple, coffee, coconut chai, and several seasonal offerings. The flavors were thoughtful and well balanced; even the infused expressions retained a clear rum backbone rather than drifting into novelty. We enjoyed them enough to leave with several bottles. This is artisanal pitorro done right, rooted in Puerto Rican tradition and confidently made in Maryland. Buying it locally is convenient, but going to the distillery is where the people, the story, and the spirit fully come together.

This local speakeasy has quickly moved its way to the top of my list…read more I love the ease of parking, safe neighborhood, and spacious speakeasy space. Always great service by bar manager Charlie, fantastic food and beverage menu and options. My favs so far are the grilled wings and chicken tortilla soup. The drinks are pretty awesome, and Charlie the Great can alter beverages to your preference if you prefer. This is an overall mezcal bar, but they have other libations as well. My fav is John Updike's Old Fashioned. My son ordered and loved the Strawberry Gin & Tonic. This establishment is a great conversation starter, and I look forward to returning asap.

My very 1st time going to a Speakeasy in Baltimore and I am a native Baltimorean. We came here to…read morewrap up a date night for a late night cocktail and conversation. There is a secret black door to enter. You can make reservations however, I was unaware that reservations were needed. We waited for about 20 minutes before a table opened up. Of course, the lights are dimmed inside with a very chill atmosphere. It is also pretty spacious inside for Speakeasy. We enjoy as it was something different to try. I will definitely return

It's a cool spot. It was a little hidden like most Speakeasy's which I love. When we entered it had…read morea cool dark but calming vibe and they weren't too busy. We had a party of 7 and we pretty much had our pick of where to sit. The waitress was talking really fast and low and we kept having to ask her to repeat herself. She never slowed down OR spoke louder. Once she had our drink orders, they didn't take long to come out. I ordered the "AKA" it was tequila based and was pretty good. Everyone was pretty happy with their drinks. This is when the night turned. 4 of the 7 of us wanted to leave and head elsewhere, the waitress made ALL 7 of us pay even though the others wanted to stay and order more. She would not budge on this and seemed pretty nonchalant about it. .. all in all. Glad we found it but won't be back.

Really cool bar in downtown Ellicott City! They have a good selection beers and also a full bar for…read morethose that might not like beer. The bartender was friendly and the space was cool with a small outdoor area downstairs. They also have upper floors, but we just stayed downstairs on this visit. They serve food, but we'd just eaten, so next time! Overall, it's a great little spot and I'll definitely return next time I'm in the area!

Let me just say it is NOT The Judge's Bench of days past. The food selections are extremely limited…read moreand consist basically of mediocre frozen food. I would equate it to cafeteria food. If you are with a handful of friends and you are looking for a casual place to sit, gab, and drink, Judge's Bench might be ok. Otherwise, I'd take the short walk to The Manor Hill or several other Old Ellicott City offerings. The Bench has seen better days.

The front bar at Cured is a great spot for a beer, but the real magic is behind the door near the…read morebathrooms. Once you step into the speakeasy in the back, you're in a different era. The whiskey and bourbon selection is the most massive, well-curated collection I've ever seen--it makes a standard liquor store look like a gas station shelf. The bartenders actually know their stuff, too. I It's dark, the jazz is live, and the drinks are lethal. It's the only place in Columbia where I can sit in at the bar or a table and feel like I'm running a bootlegging empire instead of just hiding from the mall traffic.

Beautiful upscale jazz restaurant located with Cured. I recommend dressing nice but it's not…read morerequired. They normally have live jazz, whether it's a band or a single performer. Service is exemplary. Plenty of food options, and some lovely choices. The octopus appetizer is the only thing I wouldn't suggest as it was rubbery and lacked flavor.

Run, don't walk here when they're open and you're in Chestertown. What a delightful place and Jeff…read moreis truly a gem and one of a kind.

Hole in the wall speakeasy that doesn't beat the hype but runs it over! Every time I walk in here I…read morefind another piece of decor that just fits the bar and atmosphere perfectly. The Bartender is one of a kind and the patrons appreciate his drinks and easy going demeanor. Look for that green light and have a cocktail and conversation. Cheers!

I absolutely love King's Ransom! The atmosphere is really dope. It is definitely hard to find as it…read moreis in a pizza shop. I went there with one of my friends and we really enjoyed ourselves. It is a nice quiet, hidden speak easy with great vibes. The service was impeccable. The bartender was very friendly and attentive. She gave great suggestions for drinks. We decided on a sour. Which was whisky, lemon, and honey. It was perfectly mixed and served. I also tried the Toki Highball which was excellent. It was rich in flavor and not too strong. If you are really into Whisky King's Ransom needs to be on your list to visit. Unfortunately, we did not order food but the couple next to us ordered the pizza and fries and it looked delicious. The ambiance was great. Its a little upscale with dark lighting. The raised bar and lighting add to the unique experience. This bar is great for date night or just a night out with friends in Alexandria, Va. If you are in the area check it out...you won't be disappointed. Cheers!

The service was great as usual and the drinks were great. I had two of them which were the Modena…read moreSpritz and the Toki Highball. Both were excellent! The atmosphere was bar appropriate with minimal noise, so I didn't need to raise my voice at all since I was in the tabled area in the back. Would I go back? Yes, absolutely.

I love the color scheme in here, dark with red and blacks. I think the ceiling is my favorite!…read more We were expecting to enjoy the Happy Hour menu because we read about it on the website but the bartender said they didn't have it anymore. My friend and I got two drinks each. Our first round of drinks didn't seem like full glasses but tasted good. I got a French 75 which was nice as my second, which was lovely. For food we got tuna tacos, beef sliders and fries. Tuna tacos were delicious . You get three. The sliders were alright i think it was because they were more medium well than medium. The fries are the most generous portion with three different dipping sauces. Our bill came out to $130 dollars. Not sure if at this price point I'll be retuning but it was a nice spot to try!

The drinks and service here were great. I liked the Billie Holiday cocktail. I also had a French 75…read morewith empress gin, which was great. The popcorn was a good snack to have with drinks. The bar was dark and cozy. Overall, I had a good time here.

The first time I came to Code Red was last summer, and I genuinely found myself counting down the…read moredays until I could return. Finally made it back - and it did not disappoint. This is such a perfect spot for either a date night or a fun night out with friends. The speakeasy vibe, the chic atmosphere, and the music (a smooth, chill house mix) all come together so effortlessly. Plus, being open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays is a huge bonus. Definitely make a reservation ahead of time - this place stays busy for a reason. From my previous visit, I remember having a ravioli dish, what I believe was a braised beef, and their sliders with duck fat fries - all of which were incredible and clearly memorable since I was thinking about them for months. The sliders paired with those fries were honestly a standout. This time around, we had to get the duck fat fries again, and they were just as phenomenal as I remembered. The cheesesteak oysters were easily a 10/10 - fresh, meaty, and honestly surprising coming from someone who used to not even like oysters. We also tried the grilled octopus, which was well-seasoned (as expected, slightly chewy), and the fried calamari, which was light, not heavy at all, and paired perfectly with the sauces. The tuna tartare was another standout - super fresh, soft, and practically melted in your mouth. For drinks, we went all in. The Dirty Diamond martini with blue cheese olives was great, though if you like your martinis extra filthy, I'd recommend specifying that. The Hemingway Special had a nice subtle sour kick, and the vanilla mint espresso martini was strong (you can definitely taste the alcohol) but still smooth and frothy. The Mary Pickford with Malibu was surprisingly delicious - almost like a mocktail. The Paloma was solid, and the Code Red cocktail gave me slight cosmopolitan vibes. But the real star was the dulce de leche espresso martini--absolutely unforgettable. What really ties everything together here is the service. The staff - from the hosts to the servers - are attentive, welcoming, and genuinely elevate the experience. Overall, Code Red is one of those places you keep coming back to. If you're looking for a stylish speakeasy atmosphere with great food, drinks, and energy, this is it.

- strong af drinks - super cute, committed to the theme of…read moreprohibition era - those chairs at the bar are kinda wobbly i was afraid of falling - quick and attentive waiters